San Dieguito Double Track and Special Events Platform

This project will replace the nearly 100-year-old wooden trestle San Dieguito Railway River Bridge, add a mile of second mainline rail track from Solana Beach to Del Mar, and construct a special events platform at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for North County Transit District (NCTD) COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains.

Other project improvements include construction of new turnouts, signals, retained embankments, and drainage facilities. Some realignment of the tracks to the east is required to accommodate the improvements and future rail needs. All of the double tracking falls within the NCTD right-of-way. The new bridge and tracks will be elevated above the 100-year flood plain to reduce potential damage to the rail line and bridge during severe storms.

The second main track will start in Solana Beach, just south of Dahlia Street. It will continue a mile south across the San Dieguito Lagoon, resulting in a continuous 2.8-mile stretch of double track. A universal track crossover also will be installed between the tracks to enable trains to reach the new platform from either direction.

The new
special events platform will be located on the west side of the fairgrounds to
reduce vehicular traffic congestion and provide improved transit options for
special event attendees. The platform will provide attendees a safe
and reliable transit option for special events, including the Del Mar horse racing
season and the San Diego County Fair.